Sing Party’s lack of sexy (or violent) videos makes it suitable for families and since the game doesn’t boo anyone off stage (no matter how tone deaf they might be), it’s fun for large groups. The music mix is a good one, too, with 50 songs blending recent hits and some older classics (i.e. it’s a safe bet this is the only time Frank Sinatra and Carly Rae Jepsen will appear together). It’s a title that’s likely to enjoy a presence at family get-togethers.

While Sing Party is hardly a bad karaoke/dance game, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, given the promise of the Wii U’s two-screen approach to gaming. Rather than using the Gamepad to display lyrics for all game modes, the game relies on the television screen for two of its three modes, giving it a very “me too” feeling. It’s a pivotal opportunity to differentiate itself that’s squandered. Also, the scoring system in the game’s sing and team modes isn’t well defined (not that this is a game that’s focused on sing-offs against friends). Given its high price, this is definitely a title you should rent before you buy to see if it’s for you.

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